Uptown Minneapolis is not only a Prince hit song, but it’s also an amazing place to live. With its varied restaurants, clubs, and other attractions, people love calling this beautiful place home. While not an official Minneapolis neighborhood, the Uptown neighborhood is bordered by DuPont Avenue on the east and Bde Maka Ska Lake on the west.
Whether you recently moved here, are a local looking for new spots, or are a summer visitor, this guide will provide you with all of the best places to relax on a summer evening. In any case, whether it’s a party with friends or going on a date – Uptown is here to improve our mood and make the evening unforgettable.
For the sporty people
Uptown has exactly what you are looking for if you enjoy exercising or just getting your body moving in the beautiful summer weather. As mentioned earlier, Bde Maka Ska borders Uptown Minneapolis, and what better place to take a long walk than around the lake.
The lake can take you on a 3.2 mile loop around where you can enjoy an evening stroll or bike ride with a beautiful view. You can also go in the lake for some paddleboarding, kayaking, boating, swimming, or even fishing. The fun doesn’t stop in the winter when Uptown natives use the lake for cross country skiing, ice fishing, and snowshoeing.
For the night owls
For those of you who love a night out on the town, Uptown has some of the best nightlife in the city with rooftop beer gardens, sports bars, gastropubs, and, our favorite, speakeasy-styled bars.
Depending on what kind of vibe you are looking for, choosing a place or a few places is easy to do with the diverse nightlife options here in Uptown.
If you are in the mood for a cool and fun feel, head to the Pourhouse Uptown for a Prohibition-style bar with sports, dancing, and great food and drinks. The Pourhouse bar is a known staple in Uptown for its fun crowd and great environment. Plus, they also hold Pourhouse Minneapolis events often, so be on the lookout!
If you are looking for something more lowkey, check out the Uptown Tavern for a more relaxed night with a rooftop view on a beautiful summer night.
For the foodies
For those of you who love to eat, Uptown has a large variety of global cuisines that are sure to leave you mind blown. Hennepin Avenue, Lyndale Avenue, and Lake Street are all lined with assortments of cafes and local restaurants that are worth checking out.
The food choices range from upscale to more street fare, from American classics to global cuisine. Some of our favorites include Stella’s Fish Café and Prestige Oyster Bar for some of the best seafood in Minneapolis, Amore Uptown has incredible Italian dishes, and Barbette is known for their delicious French cuisine.
For a pub-style choice, head to Lake and Irving for their buttermilk fried chicken sandwich that is to die for. And to prove that you can find a delicious restaurant of any food variety in Uptown, check out India Palace Uptown for tasty Indian flavors.
Lastly, if you are in the mood for trying new foods, head to the World Street Kitchen for a unique blend of world flavors you won’t find anywhere else.
Now that you have dinner covered, what about dessert? Lucky for you, Uptown has an endless list of dessert spots that will cure every one of your sweet cravings.
First, Edward’s Dessert Kitchen is known for their incredible one-of-a-kind treats. If you are in the mood for a more cozy dessert, Rustica Bakery has a ton of cute baking pastries that pair well with that evening coffee. If you have a sweet tooth for ice cream, there are plenty of tasty ice cream shops in Uptown.
First, Milkjam creamery is known for their unique flavors and doughnut ice cream sandwiches – yep, that’s right. An ice cream sandwich in the middle of a doughnut.
Second, Sebastian Joe’s is a staple in the city. Known for its tasty flavors, Sebastian Joe’s never misses!
Lastly, if you are looking for a fun treat and are a fan of waffles, check out Waffle Bar. The ice cream is served in a bubble waffle that is so delicious! Regardless of what dessert you end up choosing, they are sure to knock your socks off.
For the artsy people
Arts and movies are a very popular attraction in Uptown. The Lagoon Cinema, for example, is known for its indie and foreign films. They always seem to have a great crowd no matter what day of the week it is, so the customers must love their selection in movie showings.
Uptown also has plenty of opportunities to support local artists in their own venues. Putting on different concerts, plays, or setting up a studio floor for art galleries. Make a night out of gallery hopping or go for a date night to a play. There are plenty of art galleries, both big and small, all around the Uptown area.
The biggest attraction is the Uptown Art Fair, held in August, bringing over 250,000 people to the area with food and beer, culinary arts, live music, and artists. You won’t want to miss it if you are a fan of the arts or just want something unique to do on a summer day!
No place like Uptown
Uptown is a historic area in Minnesota, known for its diversity, art, and beautiful scenery. The cuisine is one-of-a-kind, coming from all different areas of the world, and Uptown does it well. The desserts are unmatched, from ice cream to unique cookies and pastries you can’t find anywhere else.
For sports lovers, Uptown holds a multitude of nature to explore by foot, by water, or by any other method of transportation. The lake is a place to relax, hang out, or get your workout on.
For art lovers, Uptown holds an endless array of art galleries and theaters to watch an evening play or concert and support local artists.
Uptown is known for its nightlife scene with a cool, hip crowd spanning the endless list of bars like The Pourhouse for exclusive experiences you won’t forget in a million years for those who like to go out for a good time. Uptown has everything and more, so if you are visiting or just looking for a new summer spot, head to Uptown!